Water Shortage: Causes and Effects
Water Scarcity: Definition, Causes and Solutions
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| Women Getting Water where Camels Waiting Ashore |
Water scarcity refers to a condition where water demand is greater than supply. This imbalance is caused by water pollution, pressure from water-intensive agriculture, population pressures, and climate change effects on water sources.
Water scarcity has grave impacts on human health, but also on plants, animals, and the planet as a whole. It also poses a threat to food security. A 2014 paper by Wada et al., in Nature, estimates that water scarcity can be significantly reduced by 2050 if stakeholders commit to improving agricultural water productivity, improving irrigation efficiency, improving domestic and industrial water-use intensity, limiting the rate of population growth, increasing water storage in reservoirs, and increased desalination of seawater in coastal water-stressed regions.
What is Water Scarcity?
Water scarcity is an excess of water demand compared to supply, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. UN-WATER defines water scarcity as the lack of water availability “due to physical shortage or scarcity in access due to the failure of institutions to ensure a regular supply or a lack of adequate infrastructure.” Water scarcity may arise due to local ecology and arid conditions, or poor-quality management and infrastructure.
Four billion people live in “conditions of severe water scarcity at least 1 month of the year”, according to a 2016 article from the Twente Water Center in the Netherlands. 4.8 billion to 5.7 billion people could be living in extreme water scarcity by 2050, according to a team of researchers led by Peter Burek of the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis in Austria.
Water scarcity leads to wider contamination and transmission of diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, and typhoid, as people seek alternative, improperly treated water sources. It forces animals to abandon their natural habitats, plants to soak up more moisture leaving less water in streams and soil, and it destroys entire ecosystems such as wetlands and glacier-dependent regions.
To prevent risks of water scarcity, the Solar Impulse Foundation stresses the importance of sustainable water management practices, reclaiming water for reuse, and spreading awareness. Sustainable water management includes conservation, desalination, and smart irrigation systems. Rainwater harvesting, recycling water, pollution control, and improved sewage systems are components of reclaiming water to combat water scarcity.
What are the Types of Water Scarcity?
The two types of water scarcity are as follows, according to a 2008 study by the FAO.
1. Economic water scarcity
2. Physical water scarcity
Economic water scarcity occurs due to inadequate water infrastructure and is a result of insufficient financial, technical, and political resources or poor governance. Physical water scarcity is a result of local ecological and geographical conditions such as lack of river volume in arid regions or insufficient rainfall.
1. Economic Water Scarcity
The FAO defines economic water scarcity as “a situation caused by a lack of investment in water, or a lack of human capacity to satisfy the demand for water”. According to the IPCC, economic water scarcity can also occur when infrastructure is available but “water distribution is inequitable”. All should have the human right to water and not every water should be on the list of the most expensive water in the world. Mark Giordano, a water management expert at Georgetown University, says that economic water scarcity “has to do with the scarcity of financial and political wherewithal”.
Factors that lead to economic water scarcity include a lack of investment in infrastructure or technology to draw water and transport it safely to consumers and businesses. This is a result of a lack of financial resources, and ineffective governance, which may be exacerbated by political and ethnic conflicts.
The FAO states that approximately 1.6 billion people suffer from economic water scarcity. In a 2020 study led by Lorenzo Roza at the University of California, Berkeley, researchers estimated that 15% of global croplands also lack water for this reason.
The water crisis in Flint, Michigan from 2014 to 2019 is one of the clearest examples of economic water scarcity. Failure to maintain the municipal water system and cost-cutting measures that switched it to an unsafe source meant the tap water became unusable and dangerous. This video gives a quick explanation of how the Flint water crisis happened.
2. Physical Water Scarcity
Physical water scarcity is caused by inadequate natural water resources to meet consumer demand and for the proper functioning of natural ecosystems. Physical scarcity occurs when water demand exceeds 75% of river flows for all uses, according to Volume 8 of The World’s Water from the Pacific Institute. Although physical water scarcity is caused by natural terrain, weather, and geography, manmade factors can exacerbate it. For instance, The Water Project notes that the Colorado river basin has been depleted due to excessive allocations, overuse, and mismanagement.
According to the FAO, effects of physical water scarcity include environmental degradation, water and land pollution, a decline in groundwater levels, and greater inequity in water distribution.
International Water Management Institute (IWMI) estimates in 2007 suggested that 1.2 billion people worldwide live in areas of physical water scarcity while another 500 million are approaching such a situation. Estimates by the IPCC suggest that as many as 4 billion people could be pushed toward physical water scarcity if the worldwide average temperature rises by 4°C due to global warming. UNICEF estimates that 4 billion already live in areas where there is water scarcity for at least one month per year.
What are the causes of water scarcity?
Water scarcity comes from three sources; pollution, population, and agriculture. While humans have built dams, wells, irrigation systems, and other water maintenance structures, these three areas are stressing out rivers, lakes, and aquifers. A few other factors can affect water scarcity, too, including droughts, natural disasters, government access, distance to water, climate change, illegal dumping, and overuse of water.
Pollution: Many sources can pollute water, including pesticides, fertilizers, wastewater, and industrial wastes. Pollution affects groundwater too, as it seeps into aquifers causing harmful bacteria to contaminate the water and endanger health. Lastly, pollution can take years to build up and cause an effect, but those effects are detrimental to health.
Population: As the population grows, more humans need water, and rapid growth increases economic development, agriculture needs, and pollution. The growth process results in damages to water ecosystems and loss of biodiversity. Over 40% of the world's population lives in areas with stressed water systems. Water usage continues to grow to unsustainable levels as more people add pressure to the quantity of freshwater.
Agriculture: Agriculture consumes 70% of all available freshwater on the planet, but 60% of squandering is owed to leaky irrigation systems, poor application methods, and the growth of crops that are too thirsty for the environment in which they are cultivated. Rivers, lakes, and subterranean aquifers are drying up as a result of this inefficient use of water. As a result, many food-producing countries have reached their water resource limits or even surpassed the limits.
Water scarcity: 8 facts you need to know
Increasingly, people are feeling the effects of the climate crisis through water. Changes in the water cycle are leading to irregular rainfall and snowmelt patterns, causing them to occur at the wrong times or in extreme amounts—either too much or too little. These shifts are contributing to floods and droughts, impacting both communities and ecosystems globally. Here are eight crucial points to understand about water scarcity and the efforts WWF is undertaking to make a difference.
1. Freshwater is limited and essential
Although water covers 70% of the Earth’s surface, only about 3% is freshwater, and less than 1% is accessible for human use. This small fraction sustains ecosystems, agriculture, and communities. Unfortunately, pressures like pollution and over-extraction are depleting this resource faster than it can be replenished.
2. Millions lack access to clean water
Globally, more than 2 billion people live in areas facing water stress regardless of the country’s wealth. Communities struggle daily to access clean water for drinking, cooking, and sanitation. This crisis disproportionately affects women and children, who often bear the burden of collecting water in many places.
3. Rivers are drying up
Some of the world’s most vital rivers are shrinking, with dire consequences for people and wildlife. For example, the Rio Grande-Rio Bravo, which flows between the US and Mexico, has seen its flows diminish due to increased water demand and prolonged drought. It would take 1.5 Rio Grandes to meet its current water demand. WWF is working with partners (Trout Unlimited, Rio Grande Return, Defenders of Wildlife, and Rio Grande Joint Venture) to restore habitats along the river and promote sustainable water use.
4. Climate change intensifies scarcity
As temperatures rise, droughts are becoming more frequent and severe, while unpredictable rainfall patterns make water management increasingly challenging. In the Indus River basin, which supports millions in Pakistan, climate impacts, such as recent floods, threaten water security for both agriculture and daily life. WWF collaborates with the government of Pakistan to restore floodplains and wetlands which store water naturally for times of drought and help local communities to harvest rainwater and implement water-efficient farming techniques.
5. Wetlands are disappearing
Wetlands—nature’s water filters and flood buffers—are vanishing three times faster than forests. Freshwater ecosystems have experienced an 85% decline in biodiversity since 1970, the steepest drop among all ecosystems. The Pantanal, the world’s largest tropical wetland, spans Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay and is home to iconic species like jaguars and giant otters. WWF is championing conservation efforts to safeguard this biodiversity hotspot and the water resources it provides.
6. Agriculture drives water use
Irrigation for crops uses 70% of the world’s freshwater, but inefficient practices often result in water wastage, pollution, and soil degradation. Unsustainable water allocations can further reduce water availability, affecting people and ecosystems. By adopting sustainable agriculture practices, including a water stewardship approach, and supporting fair water allocation policies, farmers can lower their environmental impact while maintaining productivity. These efforts will be most effective if water governing bodies ensure agricultural water use does not compromise availability for other users, including the environment—an essential priority in regions like the Rio Grande and Indus River basins.
7. Big cities, big impact:
Urban centers support dense populations and manufacturing hubs that require immense amounts of water and energy. While these cities might seem flush with water resources, the concentration of people and industry often strains resources, especially groundwater resources. They’re also increasingly vulnerable to effects of climate change. In Vietnam, Cambodia, India, Pakistan, Turkey, US and Mexico, WWF works with public & private sector partners along with civil society and communities to improve water sustainability in urban centers and supply chains. By adopting energy and water stewardship practices in industry clusters and investing in nature-based solutions to recharge groundwater, reduce vulnerability to storm impacts and saltwater intrusion, urban centers can help ensure precious water resources remain plentiful.
8. There Is hope through collective action
While the challenges are significant, solutions are within reach. Across WWF’s range of projects, from the Rio Grande to the Pantanal and the Indus, partnerships with governments, businesses, and local communities are proving that sustainable water management is possible. These efforts not only address immediate needs but also build resilience for future generations.
Taking action for freshwater
Water scarcity is a global challenge, but it’s one we can tackle together. By optimizing available water, supporting water resilient farming, restoring degraded ecosystems, and advocating for policies that prioritize sustainable water use, we can ensure this precious resource remains available for all life on Earth.
What are the Impacts and Harms of Water Scarcity?
The impacts and harms of water scarcity include damage to people, plants, animals, and the planet as a whole. The effects of water scarcity on plants and animals often go unnoticed, but they also impact people and the planet as a whole.
On People: Water scarcity leads to wider contamination and transmission of diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, and typhoid, as people seek alternative, improperly treated water sources. Water scarcity also threatens crop production and food security which can lead to chronic illnesses and malnutrition. Research by Allianz, the multinational financial cooperation, finds that several industries such as mining and food and beverages are under threat due to increased water scarcity, which could eventually slow economic growth. Experts from UN-WATER add that changes in the availability of water and precipitation “have already proven to trigger refugee dynamics and political instability”. Low-income communities are the most likely to face threats of water scarcity and food insecurity. According to the Global Water Institute, 700 million people could be displaced due to water scarcity by 2030.
On Plants: Water scarcity caused by climate change leads to a mixture of opposite effects according to a paper authored by Justin Mankin from Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. As CO2 increases, photosynthesis will require less water, reducing the demand for water by plants and increasing the efficiency of food production. However, as temperatures rise, growing seasons will get longer, and plants in the mid-latitudes will absorb more water, leaving less water in streams and soil. In a 2016 study by Imedi et al., plants experiencing a deficit of water decreased photosynthesis and showed signs of gradual deterioration.
On Animals: Water scarcity forces animals to exit their natural habitats, often toward areas inhabited by humans, according to the African Wildlife Foundation. Greater contact with other species accelerates the spread of infectious diseases among wildlife and livestock. Greater contact with humans increases the number of animals that are killed. Research by the Columbia Climate School finds that toxic runoff (such as from fertilizers) into water bodies can harm fish by encouraging algal blooms which reduce the oxygen supply in the water.
On the Planet: Water scarcity damages the planet as a whole because of the harm it causes to entire ecosystems, especially wetlands. Not only do many species thrive in wetlands, they also provide ecological services such as water filtration and storm protection which are hampered when there is a lack of water. The Aral Sea is an example of a damaged ecosystem that has rapidly shrunk and deteriorated leaving behind a salty and polluted habitat. This resulted in food shortages and decreased life expectancy among human populations in the surrounding regions. As climate change intensifies, water scarcity will too, leading to more severe droughts and floods. Glacier loss will accelerate, threatening the water security of downstream ecosystems and communities.
Disappearing Wetland
About half of the world’s wetlands have been destroyed since 1900. Some of the most productive habitats on the planet, wetlands support high concentrations of animals—including mammals, birds, fish and invertebrates—and serve as nurseries for many of these species. Wetlands also support the cultivation of rice, a staple in the diet of half the world’s population. And they provide a range of ecosystem services that benefit humanity, including water filtration, storm protection, flood control and recreation.
Damaged Ecosystems
When water becomes scarce, natural landscapes often lose out. The Aral Sea in central Asia was once the world’s fourth largest freshwater lake. But in only three decades, the sea has lost an area the size of Lake Michigan. It is now as salty as an ocean due to the excessive pollution and the diversion of water for irrigation and power generation. As the sea has retracted, it has left polluted land. This ecological catastrophe has created food shortages and resulted in a rise in infant mortality and a decrease in life expectancy for the nearby population.
What are the effects of water scarcity?
Both humans and the environment are heavily dependent on water. As water becomes scarce, the wetlands will disappear along with all the animals they support, including mammals, birds, fish, and much more. Furthermore, wetlands provide rice, which is half of the world's population's main food source.
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As water becomes scarce, our natural landscape will change as water shrinks; we will be left with more pollution covering the world. In turn, these lead to food shortages and decreased life spans. With less food and water, we will see energy shortages, too, and then economic slowdowns from the stress. Diseases will become rampant, too, as will poverty and sanitation issues.
What Are Some Facts and Statistics about Water Scarcity?
These are some important facts and statistics about water scarcity.
UN-WATER states that about 4 billion people experience severe water scarcity during at least one month of the year. This is forecast to increase to 4.8–5.7 billion in 2050, of which about 69% will live in Asia.
- 1.2 billion people, or one-sixth of the world’s population, live in “severely water-constrained agricultural areas” today.
- 700 million people worldwide could be displaced by intense water scarcity by 2030.
- World Wildlife Fund (WWF) research shows that nearly 2.4 billion people lack adequate sanitation, and are exposed to water-borne diseases. Of these, nearly two million children die every year due to poor water quality leading to diarrheal diseases alone.
- 2012 estimates from the United Nations are that groundwater withdrawals have tripled during the last half-century, particularly in China, India, and the United States.
- The World Resources Institute (WRI) forecasts that investing a mere 1% of global GDP could ensure water security for everyone by the year 2030.
What areas are affected by water scarcity?
Over four billion people are affected by water scarcity worldwide for a month out of every year. Of those four billion, 37 countries are affected in the entire population, while 97 countries have over half the population affected. Most of the countries affected are in Asia, South America, and Africa. India, China, Ethiopia, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Nigeria, Pakistan, Australia, Egypt, and Sudan suffer the most from water scarcity.
What are possible solutions to water scarcity?
Solving the water scarcity in the world will not happen by chance. We will have to come together to work on multiple solutions to impact everyone's health and future generations of plants and animals. The solutions are broken down into four categories where changes need to happen to improve access to freshwater.
Environmental Policies: The first step requires environmental policies to help preserve and restore the ecosystems that collect, filter, store, and release water naturally. This includes recycling and flood protection as we need an undamaged system to continue using freshwater and the nutrients it provides. To start, we need to respect natural areas by stopping destructive and degraded practices to start seeing immediate benefits for the economy.
Engineering Technologies: With technology, we have reduced resources quickly, including water, and these methods need to be addressed to provide rapid results. A very visible option to solve the problem is infrastructure repairs to find ways to lower the costs of installation and maintenance, especially for under-developed countries. Additionally, creating engineering solutions that will benefit the environment without adding to climate change can positively impact water scarcity.
As around 70% of all freshwater is allocated to agriculture, a smart solution would be to improve irrigation systems. While many agricultural needs are met by flooding and surface irrigation, flooding can overfill crops before being lost through evaporation. Farmers need additional education to reduce water loss with smart practices and funding meant to conserve water by reducing waste.
Economical Solutions: Higher water prices reduce waste as people will naturally conserve to save on expenses. In turn, this would reduce pollution and help to fund improved water infrastructure. However, many people cannot afford increased constraints on their budget. Policymakers have to consider the weight of leveraging water taxes and the effect it will have on the economy.
Adding in cost benefits for those who take measures to conserve water could help to make higher prices more economical. A good sewage system is the foundation for safe drinking water. Without adequate sanitation, an area's water may become contaminated with disease and various other issues. We can prevent water shortage in these locations from worsening by strengthening the sewage systems in these areas.
Many people around the world, particularly in poorer countries, are still without access to public water. These people frequently rely only on fountains to supply their water needs, which may not be sufficient in times of drought. These folks are in grave danger of experiencing catastrophic water shortages. Water scarcity risks may be considerably decreased if these people were connected to the public water supply.
Social Solutions: Everyone can take measures to reduce water waste and scarcity. There are a variety of technologies that allow you to recycle rainwater and other types of water in your home. Consider learning how to recycle your water. It not only helps to prevent scarcity, but it can also help you save money. By simply reducing water usage, people can help to improve water. Furthermore, by recycling and reducing trash, people can help to reduce pollutants entering water.
There are groups worldwide working to supply clean water to locations where it is currently unavailable. Consider donating to these organizations, whether it's with your time, skills, or money, whichever is within your means. Educate others whenever possible to make everyone aware of the problem to help reduce waste even further.
There are many smart steps you can take at home to help reduce water usage. You can take shorter showers, turn the water off when brushing your teeth, install water-saving appliances, repair leaks, and flush toilets less.
Water scarcity is a socio-economic difficulty that we must address and ameliorate as soon as possible. It is just one of many challenges that our modern world faces. Luckily, with growing awareness, collective effort, and advancements in technology, we are able to face these issues head-on with calculated solutions to relieve stress on the environment and its inhabitants.
Water scarcity is intrinsically linked to climate change, another deep-rooted obstacle that we must overcome for humanities’ sake. One way to help mitigate the effects of climate change is by switching your home to renewable energy. By switching to renewable energy, you are actively reducing your home’s carbon footprint while simultaneously submitting your ethical vote to support a healthier planet.
If you're ready to take steps towards building a greener future with less reliance on fossil fuels, consider switching your electricity supply to Inspire. When you become an Inspire member, not only will you access 100% clean energy for your home and help reduce carbon emissions, you will receive a predictable monthly price for electricity supply to reduce bill volatility throughout the year.
Which Organizations are Working against Water Scarcity?
Organizations working against water security include the following groups.
UN-WATER facilitates partnerships between UN members and international organizations on water issues. The organization focuses on informing policy choices, monitoring and reporting on key trends in water management, and spreading awareness through campaigns.
The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) focuses on furthering an understanding of water scarcity and building a conceptual framework that also integrates the importance of agricultural activities and food security. The FAO hosts the Global Framework for Action to Cope with Water Scarcity in Agriculture in the Context of Climate Change (WASAG). This is an initiative bringing together a variety of government, non-profit, and private groups to help agriculture adapt to water scarcity.
The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) is a multinational “research for development”’ organization with a vision of a ‘water-secure world’. The organization focuses on water and land management challenges in developing countries.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is a leading conservation organization that restores species and natural habitats. One of the organization’s key focus areas is freshwater resource protection.
The World Resources Institute (WRI) is an international environmental research and policy development group. They work to create solutions to water security problems by providing data and analytical tools to assist decision-makers.
Other organizations working to solve water scarcity problems include The Water Project, WaterAid, The Stockholm International Water Institute, Columbia Water Center, the World Water Council, and the Global Water Institute.
What Are Some Concepts Related to Water Scarcity?
Some concepts related to water scarcity are the following items.
Water stress: This is an “outcome of water scarcity” and refers to poor quality and limited accessibility to water.
Water risk: This is the “probability of an entity” experiencing a harmful water-related event. Water risk is gauged differently from sector to sector, distinguishing it from water stress and water scarcity.
Water security: This is the “capacity of a population to safeguard sustainable access to adequate quantities of acceptable quality water”, according to UNICEF. This applies to water for sustaining livelihoods, socio-economic development, and preservation against water pollution.
Is the World Headed Towards Water Crises?
Water is one of the most treasured resources for the human race; however, over a billion people lack access to clean water. For this reason, the water demand is rapidly increasing every year. If the governments do not address this increasing demand for fresh drinking water, the consequences could be drastic.
Over 2 billion people could have to deal with severe water shortages by 2025. It is not that there isn’t enough water on earth, the ocean covers over two-thirds. However, if you look at all the water available on the planet, only around 3 percent is drinkable. Out of the three percent, the majority of it goes to agriculture, and the remaining is left for drinking. Therefore, re-thinking agricultural practices is the most impactful solution at hand. Another option to conserve water includes finding new sources of storing groundwater.
Water is one of the most treasured resources for the human race; however, over a billion people lack access to clean water. For this reason, the water demand is rapidly increasing every year. If the governments do not address this increasing demand for fresh drinking water, the consequences could be drastic.
Over 2 billion people could have to deal with severe water shortages by 2025. It is not that there isn’t enough water on earth, the ocean covers over two-thirds. However, if you look at all the water available on the planet, only around 3 percent is drinkable. Out of the three percent, the majority of it goes to agriculture, and the remaining is left for drinking. Therefore, re-thinking agricultural practices is the most impactful solution at hand. Another option to conserve water includes finding new sources of storing groundwater.
Water scarcity is an emerging reality for the world. As climate change disrupts and modifies the water cycle, exacerbating extreme weather, people are likely to suffer greatly in the future. Without transformative steps on a global scale and a systemic, conservative approach to agricultural use, individual water-saving measures cannot collectively protect the limited freshwater access at hand. Since climate change and water scarcity are two sides of the same coin, finding ways to counter either of the issues will help with the betterment of the other.
Water Scarcity FAQs
What are the causes of water shortage?
Water shortage is caused by climate change, pollution, overuse, population growth, poor water management, and environmental degradation.
What are the effects of the water shortage?
Water shortage leads to crop failure, food insecurity, health issues, biodiversity loss, economic decline, and increased conflict over resources.
What are the causes of water loss?
Water loss is caused by leakage, inefficient irrigation, poor infrastructure, climate change, pollution, deforestation, and over-extraction from sources.
Water shortage causes and effects on environment
Water shortage causes ecosystem disruption, habitat loss, reduced biodiversity, soil degradation, and affects plant growth, wildlife, and water quality.
Effects of water shortage on humans
Water shortage impacts human health, causes food scarcity, increases disease spread, limits sanitation, disrupts economies, and forces migration.
Give three causes of water shortage
Water shortage is caused by climate change, overuse of water resources, and poor water management practices in agriculture and industry.
